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The Catholic Church has specific guidelines for burial practices, including burial at sea. Burial in sacred ground is preferred as it encourages family members and the wider Christian community to remember the deceased and pray for them. However, burial at sea is not prohibited by the Church, as long as the body or cremated remains are buried in a dignified and well-protected container. While cremation is now permitted, the Church expresses a preference for burial, and scattering cremated remains at sea is discouraged.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burial at sea | Allowed, but not preferable |
| Burial in sacred ground | Preferred |
| Burial at sea of whole remains | Allowed |
| Burial at sea of cremated remains | Allowed, but scattering is forbidden |
| Burial container | Must be dignified and well-protected |
| Burial at sea prayer | Lord God, by the power of your Word you stilled the chaos of the primeval seas, you made the raging waters of the Flood subside, and calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee. As we commit the body (earthly remains) of our brother (sister) N. to the deep, grant him/her peace and tranquility until that day when he/she and all who believe in you will be raised to the glory of new life promised in the waters of baptism. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen. |
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What You'll Learn
Burial at sea is allowed, but scattering ashes is forbidden
Burial at sea is allowed by the Catholic Church, although it is not encouraged. The Church's Code of Canon Law expresses a preference for burial over cremation, as the burial of human remains reflects greater esteem. The Church believes that burial in sacred ground prevents the deceased from being forgotten and encourages family members and the wider Christian community to remember the deceased and pray for them.
However, burial at sea is not prohibited, as long as the body or cremated remains are buried in a dignified and well-protected container. The Church's Order of Christian Funerals includes a specific prayer for such a burial, asking that the Lord who calmed the sea in Galilee may grant peace and tranquility to the deceased.
Catholics who wish to be buried at sea should consult with their diocese for further instructions, as standards can vary. While burial at sea is permitted, the Church does not encourage it and views it as less preferable than a traditional casket burial.
Scattering ashes at sea, however, is forbidden. The Church believes that scattering cremated remains does not give due respect to the deceased and does not allow for the closure and healing of family and friends. The Church teaches that the cremated remains of a body should be treated with the same respect given to the corporeal remains of a human body, including the use of a worthy vessel to contain the ashes and their appropriate placement and transport.
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Burial in sacred ground is encouraged
The Catholic Church encourages burial in sacred ground as it prevents the deceased from being forgotten and encourages family members and the wider Christian community to remember the deceased and pray for them. Burial in sacred ground is also important because it allows for the closure and healing of family and friends, and prayers for the deceased. Visiting the deceased in a holy place provides believers with a space to offer prayers and commune with those who have passed on before them in faith.
The Catholic Church began to allow cremation only in 1963 due to economic and sanitary reasons, but the burial of human remains is still preferred as it reflects a greater esteem for the body and its eventual resurrection. The presence of the human body during funeral rites better expresses the values that the Church affirms. However, cremation is permitted when extraordinary circumstances make it the only feasible choice.
The Church's Order of Christian Funerals specifies that either the body or the ashes of the deceased should be buried in sacred ground, and cremains should not be kept in private homes or scattered on land or at sea. The Church's belief in the sacredness of the human body and the resurrection of the dead is traditionally expressed in the care taken to prepare the bodies of the deceased for burial.
While burial at sea is not prohibited by the Catholic Church, it is not the preferred method of burial. The Church defines burial at sea as sinking the remains in a worthy container to the seabed and final resting place. Burial at sea is typically reserved for sailors who die at sea, and the same level of respect and care for the deceased may not be possible as with a traditional burial.
Overall, while burial at sea may be allowed in certain circumstances, the Catholic Church strongly encourages burial in sacred ground as it aligns with their beliefs and provides a physical space for loved ones to mourn, remember, and pray for the deceased.
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Cremation is allowed, but not preferred
The Catholic Church permits cremation but does not encourage it. The Church's Code of Canon Law expresses a preference for burial over cremation, as the burial of human remains reflects greater esteem for the deceased. Burial in sacred ground also prevents the deceased from being forgotten and encourages family members and the wider Christian community to remember the deceased and pray for them.
Historically, cremation was associated with the burial practices of pagans, whose religious beliefs did not include the expectation of resurrection and who viewed death as the definitive end of a person. The Catholic Church only began to allow cremation in 1963 as it became more commonplace for economic and sanitary reasons.
The Church clearly prefers and urges that the body of the deceased be present for the funeral rites, as the presence of the human body better expresses the values affirmed in the Church's rites. However, the Order of Christian Funerals states that "when extraordinary circumstances make the cremation of a body the only feasible choice, pastoral sensitivity must be exercised by all who minister to the family of the deceased". The Order of Christian Funerals also recommends that when cremation is chosen, the body be cremated after the funeral, thus allowing for the presence of the body at the funeral mass.
When it comes to burial at sea, the Catholic Church allows for the burial of whole or cremated remains. The Church defines burial at sea as sinking the remains in a worthy container to the seabed and final resting place. While burial at sea is permitted, it is not preferred by the Church, and it should not be commonplace. Catholics should consult their diocese for further instructions, as standards can vary.
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Burial at sea is acceptable for those who die at sea
Burial at sea has been a widely accepted practice for those who die at sea, especially for sailors and armed forces like the US Navy, British Royal Navy, and Royal Canadian Navy. The Catholic Church permits burial at sea, provided that the body or cremated remains are buried in a dignified and well-protected container. This container can be a casket, an urn, or even concrete, which is then dropped into the sea.
The Catholic Church's preference for burial in sacred ground stems from its belief in preventing the deceased from being forgotten and encouraging prayer for the dead. Burial in consecrated ground is also seen as a way to await the resurrection of the body. However, the Church recognizes that extraordinary circumstances may call for cremation or burial at sea.
While the Church expresses a clear preference for traditional casket burials, it does not prohibit alternative methods. Catholics are advised to consult their diocese for specific instructions, as standards may vary. The Church's Order of Christian Funerals includes a specific prayer for burial at sea, acknowledging the Lord's power over the sea and asking for peace and tranquility for the deceased.
It is worth noting that the Church disapproves of scattering cremated remains at sea or on land, as this does not show respect for the deceased's remains and does not provide a sacred place for loved ones to visit and pray. Instead, the Church recommends that cremated remains be treated with the same respect as corporeal remains, emphasizing the importance of dignified containment, care, and appropriate placement.
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Burial at sea is performed with a committal prayer
Burial at sea is a long-practiced method of burial, especially for those who have passed away at sea, such as sailors and navy personnel. The Catholic Church allows burial at sea, although it is not the preferred method of burial. The Church's Code of Canon Law expresses a preference for burial over cremation, as the burial of human remains reflects greater esteem. The Church believes in the sacredness of the human body and the eventual resurrection of the dead, and burial in sacred ground encourages prayer for the deceased.
The Catholic Church only began to allow cremation in 1963 due to economic and sanitary reasons. Burial at sea is viewed similarly to cremation, which is discouraged but not forbidden. The Church's Order of Christian Funerals states that burial at sea should be performed with a specific committal prayer, which asks the Lord who calmed the sea in Galilee to grant peace and tranquility to the deceased.
The committal prayer for burial at sea is as follows:
> Lord God, by the power of your Word you stilled the chaos of the primeval seas, you made the raging waters of the Flood subside, and calmed the storm on the sea of Galilee. As we commit the body (earthly remains) of our brother (sister) N. to the deep, grant him/her peace and tranquility until that day when he/she and all who believe in you will be raised to the glory of new life promised in the waters of baptism. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
The Catholic Church specifies that burial at sea should be performed with the body or cremated remains placed in a dignified and well-protected container. The body should be buried in a worthy vessel at the sea bottom, which is considered the final resting place. This ensures that the deceased is treated with respect, allowing for the closure and healing of family and friends.
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Frequently asked questions
Burial at sea is allowed in Catholicism, as long as the body or cremated remains are buried in a dignified and well-protected container.
The Catholic Church does not approve of scattering ashes at sea, as it does not give due respect to the remains of the deceased and does not allow for the closure and healing of family and friends.
Burial in sacred ground prevents the deceased from being forgotten and encourages family members and the wider Christian community to remember the deceased and pray for them.
The Catholic Church expresses a preference for burial over cremation as it reflects greater esteem for the human body and allows for the body to be present for the funeral rites.
